Almost half of the carbon dioxide we put into the atmosphere disappears, and it’s not entirely clear where it’s going. Careful measurements of CO2 flux in a mature New England forest show that while the forest is still taking up CO2, the rate changes from year to year. Will it continue to be taken up […]

Higher concentrations of CO2 are not enough to explain the extremely warm temperatures of 50 million years ago. A model shows that low-level clouds over the Arctic, triggered by increased humidity from a warmer Pacific, might hold the answer to why the Earth was dramatically warmer at this time in its history. Running time: 04:05

A large percentage of the population in both the US and China agree that climate change is caused by humans and that it is a problem. But they believe that the proportion of people in the other country that share these beliefs is lower than it actually is. This mismatch could have serious implications for […]

To reach the goal of decarbonizing our economy, we can start by looking at the spectrum of carbon reducing policies that are already in place and tweaking them to be more efficient and harmonious. Running time: 5:06

Market-based approaches to solve environmental problems have key advantages over “command and control” solutions, primarily because they ensure that the abatement is accomplished at the lowest cost. Examples where these policies have been spectacularly successful in the past include the phase-out of lead in gasoline and the reduction of sulfur emissions that cause acid rain. […]

How much will global temperature rise if CO2 concentrations reach 550 parts per million, a doubling of pre-industrial CO2 levels? One way to find the answer is by looking at other periods in the Earth’s history when CO2 doubled and comparing the results to today. Running time: 5:27

A network of over 300 robotic cameras across North America is capturing detailed images of land ecosystems every half hour. Images are analyzed to capture the timings of leaf out in the spring and senescence in the fall, and in the process, better account for carbon flux into and out of ecosystems. Running time: 5:28

In economic terms, fossil fuel emissions uncover a type of “scarcity”: the physical limit of our biosphere’s ability to absorb waste gases. In the past, successful policies have created new markets to fairly allocate many kinds of limited resources. Applying the same principles to climate change would replace the current hidden subsidies for carbon fuels […]

Oreskes draws on her personal experience as a target of a smear campaign to describe how climate change denial is just one part of an organized, politically-motivated effort to advance a radical free-market agenda. Running time: 5:29

Around 2.8 billion people are currently suffering from iron and zinc deficiency. Free-air carbon dioxide enrichment experiments, which grow crops under projected future levels of CO2, suggest that the number of people affected by micro-nutrient deficiencies will increase dramatically in coming decades. Running time: 5:42

China is committed to switching away from coal, but compounding factors–such as the geographic distribution of wind turbines, variations in rainfall that affect hydropower output, and the need to retrofit older buildings with new heating systems–will have to be overcome. Running time: 5:17

The Arctic Ocean is warming faster than most other regions on Earth. Rapid loss of floating sea ice is affecting the entire Arctic ecosystem, from phytoplankton on the bottom of the ice to seabirds, walruses, and polar bears, who feed on the rich biodiversity made possible by floating ic Running time: 5:24

The Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities is renovating an older home–one very similar to 14 million existing structures in the US. The goal is to model and test existing energy-saving technologies that achieve building efficiency targets. Running time: 3:58

Scalable, modular nuclear technologies with inherent safety features could compete with coal for baseload electric power, but the current regulatory climate means they are all being piloted outside the United States. Running time: 4:57

Although controversial, better research may reveal whether solar geoengineering–if combined with an all-out effort to achieve net zero carbon emissions–might be an effective tool to protect the world’s poorest and most vulnerable from some of the most catastrophic effects of climate change. Running time: 5:49

In her presentation, Bea shares her tribulations and secrets to achieving Zero Waste. She covers the importance of applying her 5R’s in order (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot) and shatters misconceptions, proving that the Zero Waste lifestyle can not only be “stylish”, but also lead to significant health benefits, and time and money savings. She […]

The Economy for the Common Good is a widely demanded alternative to the – inhumane, instable and unsustainable – ruling economic model. It is post-dualistic, overcomes both capitalism and socialism, and is based on the values that make human relationships flourish: empathy, dignity, solidarity, cooperation, justice, and sustainability. It is received enthusiastically worldwide, and more […]

In this powerful and illuminating talk, Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, shares his country’s mission to put GDH before GDP (Gross Domestic Happiness before economic growth), and set a world standard for environmental preservation, including a pledge to remain carbon neutral for all time. How many other small jurisdictions could use their model?